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Lobbyists pay for ski passes, radio ads
By Barry Massey, Associated Press Writer
Alamogordo Daily News
Article Launched:03/20/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT

SANTA FE-Lobbyists and their clients spent at least $277,800 during the just ended legislative session on food, drinks and gifts for lawmakers, but also telephone calls and mailings to encourage voters to contact their elected officials.

The most expensive gifts were ski passes valued at $40,675, which were handed out by Ski New Mexico, the trade association for the state's ski areas.

The passes were good for lift tickets at New Mexico's ski areas. They were distributed to legislators, the governor and staff, according to a report filed by the group's lobbyist with the secretary of state.

According to a review of disclosure reports by The Associated Press, almost two-thirds of the lobbyist expenditures went for food, beverages and so-called special events, which usually are dinners and receptions in which all legislators are invited or selected groups such as members of a particular committee.

For example, Desert Eagle Distributing, a Roswell-based beer wholesaler, spent $3,763 for a dinner earlier this month for 31 people, mostly legislators from southeastern New Mexico.

This session several groups organized broadcast campaigns for or against legislation. There also were telephone banks, in which voters were called and encouraged to contact elected officials on a specific measure pending in the House or Senate.

About $13,650 was spent on radio advertising by a coalition that pushed for approval of a statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants, stores and workplaces. Gov. Bill Richardson signed the measure into law last week.

Cheryl Ferguson of New Mexicans Concerned About Tobacco said Monday the radio ads were aired on an Albuquerque station that reached most areas of the state and ads were broadcast on stations in Clovis, Alamogordo and Carlsbad.

The ads asked people to call legislators and voice support for the smoking ban.

"I think it really raised the profile of it," Ferguson said.

Lobbyists for two tobacco companies, Philip Morris and Reynolds American, reported that $7,238 went for telephone calling operations against a bill that would have raised taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Tobacco tax increase proposals failed during the 60-day session. Philip Morris is owned by Altria Group Inc.

Groups advocating ethics and campaign law changes also were active.

Common Cause New Mexico and the League of Young Voters spent $4,203 for phone banking to build support for measures to limit campaign contributions and gifts to state officials.

The SouthWest Organizing Project, a community activist group in Albuquerque, spent $8,507 on mailings and bumper stickers for its campaign in favor of the ethics proposals, an increase in the minimum wage and a measure to expand health care coverage to more New Mexicans.

A lobbyist for the Center for Civic Policy reported spending about $2,400 for two briefings and dinners for legislators on several subjects, including ethics reforms and environmental issues.

Matt Brix, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, said a company was paid to make calls to voters in targeted legislative districts. People were asked if they would be willing to contact lawmakers on the ethics and campaign proposals. Those who agreed were automatically transferred to the Capitol.

"The registered voter doesn't have to pay for a long distance call to Santa Fe. They just get patched through and they can leave their own message," said Brix.

The Legislature approved a proposal to cap the value of gifts to state officials. But other ethics measures failed, including a bill to limit campaign contributions to legislative and state office candidates and a measure to create an independent ethics commission.

Gov. Bill Richardson has called a special session of the Legislature, which begins Tuesday, and the ethics proposals are on the agenda for lawmakers to again consider.

Brix said it's possible that phone bank operations will be used during the special session to try to build support for ethics measures.

"It's something we would always consider employing if we think it's going to be helpful," said Brix.

Lobbyists are required to report expenditures of $500 or more within 48 hours during a legislative session. A complete report of lobbyist spending during the first four months of the year, including the legislative session, is due in May.

Labels: Campaign for a Better New Mexico, New Mexico, State Legislature